Beauty
is in the eye of the beholder ... the ice and snow covered roads,
power lines and trees last week to create a virtual winter wonderland ...
It was beautiful if you didn’t have to travel those roads, which reached a
level 2 for several days in Monroe and surrounding counties. State, township
and village road crews, as well as power crews, worked tirelessly to keep
the roads passable and the power lines, which were ice covered, repaired.
Spring is only 43 days away!!
Photo by Martha Ackerman

Gerald
White, director, Americanism and Youth Activities for the American Legion of
Ohio, is shown with Flint Postle, who is a state winner in the 2008
Americanism and Government contest. Also shown, from left, are Flint’s
parents Amy and Brad Postle, Robert Spear, county chairman for the
Americanism program; back: Jim Miller, Cecil Smittle and Charles Clegg,
members of the American Legion Ohio Valley Post 760.

Photo by Martha Ackerman

Flint
Postle and his parents Brad and Amy look over photos from previous
Americanism trips to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C. As a state winner,
Flint will be enjoying the five-day, all-expense paid trip March 9-14.

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
It’s off for the trip of a lifetime
for Flint Postle, a sophomore at River High School. Flint is a state winner
in the Americanism and Government Test taken by 70,000 sophomores, juniors
and seniors in 2008.
“I don’t think of this trip as a
reward,” said Gerald A. White, director, Americanism and Youth Activities
for the American Legion of Ohio. “This is something you’ve earned,” he told
Flint Feb. 2 at River High School
The trip consists of a five-day,
all-expense paid trip to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C. Flint will
spend March 9-14 on a whirlwind, educational trip which, according to White,
has a value of $20,000. Some of the stops will be the new Gettysburg
Visitor’s Center and battlefield, Washington Cathedral, the Kennedy Center,
Washing-ton, D.C. memorials and Arlington National Cemetery where the group
will participate in the laying of a wreath at the tomb of the unknown
soldier.
Flint’s test made its way through
local, county and district competition to be chosen as one of six state
winners from this district - two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.
The district is made up of seven counties.
On hand for the announcement were
Flint’s parents Brad and Amy Postle; American Legion Ohio Valley Post 760
members Robert R. Spear, chairman of the Americanism program; Jim Miller,
Cecil Smittle and Charles Clegg; and Dr. Vincent Monseau, principal of River
High School.
Noting that the group will be well
chaperoned, White assured the Postles of their son’s safety.
“Flint is setting a great example for
those who follow him,” said Monseau, who was referring to the sophomore’s
five siblings.
Flint participates in the football,
wrestling and track programs at River High School.
According to Clegg, this is the third
state winner from Monroe County in the last 10 years.

<~
Student Council Helps Others ~
St. Sylvester Central Catholic
School’s student council displayed the true meaning of helping others as
they raised money which was donated to three organizations. Pandora
Neuhart, Warm the Children coordinator, received a check for $250 from Anne
LaFollette, student council president. The money will help purchase new warm
winter coats and boots for needy children. According to student council
advisor Diane Burkhart, the school also donated $400 to Models for Veterans
and $150 to an orphanage. Shown with Pandora Neuhart and Anne LaFollette
are, from left, front: Hannah Jones, Kaleigh Marley, Brooke Dick; back:
advisor Diane Burkhart, Micah Roberts, Lindsey Froehlich, Abby Swallow and
Justin Saffle. Absent was Christa Russell

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
Discussion concerning a feasibility
study for a revived railroad along the riverfront was held at the Feb. 2
meeting of Monroe County commissioners, who also met the new Wildlife
Specialist officer.
Tom Scott, economic developer
and Bill Long, Job and Family Services workforce supervisor, discussed the
idea of re-opening the railroad tracks both north and south of Ormet, which
owns the rail northward to Powhatan Point.
Scott said he planned to set up a
meeting for all those involved who wish to attend.
According to Scott, a feasibility
study would probably cost in the neighborhood of $15,000 and would take
eight weeks to 60 days to complete.
Meetings are set to be held this week
with two separate consultants.
Scott said he wants to speak with
representatives of Artco Steel and Murray Energy as well as Norfolk Southern
Railroad.
According to discussion, Scott would
like to have a two-phase feasibility study: first, to learn what may be done
right now to accommodate Artco and secondly, extending the rail south.
In another matter, Commission
President John Pyles read a letter from Buckeye Hills - Hocking Valley
Regional Development with regard to a list of water and sewer projects for
inclusion in the economic stimulus list It was noted that congressional
representatives are asking for prioritized list of the county’s top three
projects.
Scott said he would review the
information and draft a response for review by commissioners.
According to discussion, a Lee
Township water/sewer project and a water project on Grizzle Ridge are viewed
as priority. Pyles also mentioned the possibility of a sewer/water project
for Monroe Water Authority.

Tammy Jones, project manager Monroe Soil and Water Conservation District,
introduced Dave Schott, recently hired as the Wildlife Forestry Specialist.
Schott replaces Chad Hammond, former
wildlife specialist, and Carl Davis,
Schott comes to the position with
experience, being one of the first wildlife specialists hired in the state.
He has 11 years experience and worked in Guernsey County until coming to
Monroe.
Schott said he is the person
countians should call in the case of damage caused by animals such as geese
and deer. He also deals with forestry management.
Jones said the agricultural related
duties of Davis, who now serves as county commissioner, will be split
between herself and Schott.
“I’m glad to be here and serve Monroe
County,” said Schott.
Jeanette Harter, director, JFS,
reported the agency’s policy manual has been completed.
In another matter, commissioners
adopted the JFS Credit Card Policy submitted by Harter and approved by
Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Riethmiller.
Harter requested and was granted an
executive session for matters of confidentiality. No action was taken
following that session, which lasted from 11:21 a.m. to 12:03 p.m.
Harter returned to the meeting during
the afternoon session for matters concerning the county’s general fund
budget. She reported general fund bills amounting to about $40,000 and said
officials will have to borrow. She suggested $30,000 should cover the amount
needed.
A request for advance of property
taxes in the amount of $19,938.66 was approved.
Concerning a bank loan, Harter
indicated she would arrange for a bank representative to meet with officials
on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Commissioners plan to continue session beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 4.

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
Customers of Woodsfield
Television Cable Co. need not go out and purchase a converter box to receive
digital transmission.
This information was reinforced at
the Feb. 2 meeting of Woodsfield Village Council.
According to Jeff Woodell, village
administrator, the village cable system is ready to accept digital when the
conversion is made.
It was noted that some TV
screens have gone black during test periods conducted by channels 7, 9
and 4. Woodell explained that those stations are currently using analog and
the village cannot change to digital until the stations convert.
Testing has been going on for about
three weeks and usually is done at noon.
In other matters, Woodell reported on
water, street and light plant crews and the work done due to extreme weather
conditions.
Councilman Dale English mentioned
that vehicles are parking on the streets in areas where they are not
supposed to park when it snows.
Police Chief Chuck Hamil-ton said he
will coordinate with Donnie Weber, street department superintendent, to make
sure the vehicles are moved before clean-up crews arrive. It was noted that
this will also save some ticketing.
English expressed thanks to
departments for their work. “They did a great job.”
Councilwoman Carol Hehr echoed
English’s commendations. “The guys did a tremendous job,” she said.
Hehr announced all invoices for the
walking trail have been received. She said the village should soon get a
reimbursement check of about $60,000.

WILLIAM SHELTON
William ‘Bud’, ‘Bill’ Hamilton
Shelton, 87, passed away peacefully on Jan. 26, 2009, at New Martinsville
Health Care Center after a brief illness. He was born Jan. 6, 1922, in
Akron, the son of the late Roy and Gladys Nicholson Shelton.
Sympathy expressions at
www.grisellfuneralhomes.com
TERRY G. BROWN
Terry G. “Teddy Bear” Brown, 62,
42966 Road Fork Rd., Caldwell, died Feb. 1, 2009 at his home. He was born
July 21, 1946 near Stafford, a son of the late Charles and Ethel Dunn Brown.
Online condolences may be expressed
at www.wattersfunralhome.com.
JAMES W. PRICKETT
James William “Bill” Prickett, Sr.,
77, died Dec. 30, 2008 from an aneurysm. He was born June 1, 1931, in
Clarksburg, W.Va., a son of the late William and Flota Prickett, formerly of
Lewisville.
CLARENCE E. BROWN
Clarence Edward “Ed” Brown, 65, 39736
SR 800, Woodsfield, died Jan. 31, 2009 at his home. He was born Oct. 19,
1943 at Mechanicsburg, a son of the late Clarence and Ina Randall Brown.
Online condolences may be expressed
at www.wattersfunralhome.com

DONALD E. CLINE, SR.
Donald E. Cline, Sr., 68, SR 78,
Summerfield, died Jan. 31, 2009, at the Summit Acres Nursing Home, Caldwell.
He was born March 1, 1940, at Marietta, a son of the late Charles L. and
Mary Smith Cline. Online
condolences may be expressed at www.wattersfuneralhome.com

GLENNA P. SHOCKENCY
Glenna P. Shockency, 81, 46980 Robin
Rd., Woodsfield, formerly of Lima, died Jan. 29, 2009 at Wheeling Hospital.
She was born March 3, 1927 in West Virginia, a daughter of the late Jay and
Nola Mathis Christian.
Online condolences may be expressed
at www.wattersfunralhome.com
TRELLA L. FROEHLICH
Trella Louise Froehlich, 95,
Barnesville, died Jan. 28, 2009, at Barnesville Health Care Center. She was
born Dec. 10, 1913, in Somerton, a daughter of the late Henry and Louise
Christman Ackerman.
Condolences may be sent to www.campbellplumlymilburnfuneralhome.com

Dear Editor,
In the Dec. 25, issue of the Beacon,
Tracey R. Lucas wrote a letter to the editor concerning our school system,
and its problems.
I find that letter hard to
understand, and I may be wrong, but it seems that Tracey thinks that the
schools of Monroe County is all about sporting events and the arts.
It would seem to me that the issue
should be all about our children getting an education in academics.
Fun is fun … work is work.
In all the years since our county
school system has been in existence, just how many of our students has
gotten a job playing the sports or serving in the bands?
There was a time that academics were
the purpose of our schools, and the students excelled in the academic world.
For too many years now, we have
become addicted to letting sports rule the mind of our children, parents,
and grandparents.
Most of the ill will between our
schools comes from the sports scene. Even hatred towards each other becomes
the norm.
All this because of the emphasis on
sports instead of academics.
Maybe it is high time we get back to
the basics?
Hilbert Ault
Woodsfield

The talk of fools
is a rod for their back, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble.
An empty stable stays clean, but no
income comes from an empty stable.
What do you think? I’ll tell you what
I think. I think we’ve had enough winter to last us for this year and here
it is February just getting started. We have March to look forward to. Plus
my nose is running like sap from a tree and I’ve quit eating peanut butter
for a spell. Actually I’m quite cozy.
I’m also glad I do not have outside
chores to do. I guess we had snow when I was a kid but I don’t remember
missing any days of school because of the weather. Most of us walked. Then
we only had eight months of school. I guess maybe there wasn’t that much to
learn back then; however, they did teach us something that might well be
taught nowadays. Respect for one thing.
A couple of things you hear over and
over on TV now is “Go Green” and because we have so many fat kids they
should “play” for an hour every day.
Many of us had chores before and
after school to do so we didn’t need an hour’s play every day. Those for who
didn’t have chores were usually outside doing something.
When we had snow we could not wait to
tramp out a Fox and Geese track when we got to school. Normally it was a
double track and everyone was out running. If you don’t know what a Fox and
Geese track is, you missed out on a lot of fun. We found things to do
outside when the snow came. We were even known to throw a snowball or two
now and then. Try that today and it’s off to the office.
This kind of weather it wasn’t
surprising to see you know what running from someone’s nose. No problem,
just snuff it back in or wipe it off with your sleeve. Gross isn’t it? (I
still do, old habits are hard to break).
The following is an example of a
possible happening yesterday and today.
Jeffery will not sit still in class;
he disrupts other students.
1957: Jeffery sent to the Principal’s
office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class,
sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007: Jeffery is given huge doses of
Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The school gets
extra money from the state because Jeffery has a disability.
Only went out of the house once
yesterday. Helped Esther clean the ice off our car. Didn’t even go to the
post office. Probably had a bill or two as it’s the end of the month. They
will wait. I understand the post office is only wanting to deliver mail five
times a week. I guess they are not in line for a stimulus payment.
I made a stupid mistake the other day
and as most mistakes it did cost me a tink or more. I’m not sharing what I
did but I’m probably the only one that has an atomic thermometer on each
side of our house. One is reading 29.3 degrees and the other 32.0 degrees. I
guess this might determine which side of the house to sit.
I got an interesting discussion of
Ohio winters on the computer a few days ago. I wish I could share it with
you but there are a number of impolite but forceful words regarding the
person driving the snowplow in their driveway, plus the salt and the number
of deer running loose in Ohio. Very true to life.
Now you Steeler fans know if they are
champs or chumps. For your sake I hope they won. I understand what it feels
like to lose. Believe it or not I enjoy the commercials more than the ball
game. In fact, I think they have a program on TV of the Superbowl
commercials. I would guess for three million bucks for 30 seconds they
should be outstanding. This is supposed to make us feel good.
What am I complaining about? I look
out a back window and I see a beautiful white trackless layer of white snow.
Our neighbor’s backyard hedges with a snow cap, cars covered with ice and
snow, snow and ice sticking to each branch of the trees giving them a white
show, the deck around the house with undisturbed snow. What could be more
beautiful? Put this on a post card and everyone would say “how beautiful.”
That’s exactly where it belongs, on a post card, not my backyard.
Did you happen to see the Steeler
fans arriving in Tampa yesterday? Seventy degrees and the sun shining. Not
much fun coming home.
OK, by the way, did you get your
supply of Steeler Paczki (Punch-key) to eat during the game? Riesbeck’s made
black and gold Paczki in honor of the Steelers. I’m not sure if I’ll get in
town to pick up a couple or not. They have black icing with gold smeared on
top. The way the roads look and level two alert I might just stay at home. I
do have to get this to the Beacon office, but I still have a day to go.
No one ever says, “It’s only a game
when their team is winning.”
I’ve reached the age where the happy
hour is a nap.
Church Sunday? Good!
Bible readings: From Esther (Mon.)
2:1-11; (Tues.) 2:15-18; (Wed.) 2:19-23; (Thurs.) 3:7-13; (Fri.) 7:1-10;
(Sat.) 8:3-8; (Sun.) 4:1-3, 9-17.